Money gives you a head start on happiness: Your Say

Wealthier people are more likely to be happier than those who earn less, according to a new Brookings Institution study. Comments from Facebook:

Money can't buy happiness. The key to happiness, and a state of well-being, doesn't depend on whether you're rich or poor.

Take care of yourself, love yourself, eat right and exercise. These actions will bring you spiritual happiness.

— Jwtx Whitten

"Richer people are more likely to be happy than those earning less — all the way up the income scale," Laura Vanderkam's column stated ("Can wealth really buy happiness? Column").

But did that money make them happy, or did they have a happy disposition to begin with?

As an accompaniment to this study, I'd be more interested in looking at how much a person's temperament and attitude have to do with achieving wealth.

A positive person with good social skills will find success more easily than someone with a poor attitude and who lacks social skills.

— Tori Skidori

Happiness is when your life fulfills your needs. Wealth offers you more opportunities for fulfillment, and in part, fulfilling your needs may also generate wealth.

It's not a surprise that wealthy people are happier. Remember, however, that correlation does not equal causation. Money alone won't make you happy.

— Happiness International

Letter to the editor:

I've been a certified public accountant for 35 years advising people on taxes and their money.

The conclusions about wealth and happiness in commentary writer Laura Vanderkam's piece are correct, but a few more come to mind from my years of experience:

People with a paid-off house at retirement are happy (even if they lose a tax deduction).

A savings account for emergencies, and a bigger one for retirement, results in happiness.

People who volunteer with charities are a cheerful lot, and givers receive happiness (and a tax deduction).

Money can't buy health, but it can purchase insurance and good care.

It's not that complicated. Money used wisely always helps.

Sharon Kreider; Sunnyvale, Calif.